Attorneys
Michael Skram, Shareholder and Chair of the Litigation and Disputes Practice Group, regularly practices in Iowa and Minnesota State and Federal Courts. He focuses his civil litigation practice on products liability, motor vehicle/transportation, business, and construction law cases. He enjoys providing his clients with the highest level of professional and ethical representation and strives to reach the best result for his client, regardless of whether that might be an early settlement, defending through trial, or arguing to appellate courts.
While in law school, Michael worked as a Senior Claims Adjuster with National Car Rental Systems, Inc., where he adjusted a variety of auto, property, and no-fault claims. Starting with the firm in 2002, Michael has worn many hats. Initially hired as a law clerk, he progressed to associate and later became a shareholder. Over the years, he has successfully represented clients in various types and stages of civil litigation. Michael has trial and arbitration experience; has defended professionals before state licensing boards; and argued before the Minnesota Court of Appeals and Minnesota Supreme Court. He is also a qualified neutral and has been retained by colleagues to mediate various kinds of civil matters. Additionally, Michael enjoys being a frequent author and presenter on timely topics for clients and other attorneys.
Michael has occupied several leadership roles at the firm, including serving on the firm's Management Committee and serving as the Managing Shareholder during the challenging COVID-19 pandemic. He also currently serves as the Chair of the Litigation and Disputes Practice Group and coordinates the Law Student Clerkship Program.
- William Mitchell College of Law, J.D. cum laude (2004)
- St. John's University (MN), B.A. (1997)
- Minnesota State Court (2004)
- Federal District Court, District of Minnesota (2004)
- Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals (2004)
- Iowa State Court (2010)
- US District Court, Northern District of Iowa (2015)
- US District Court, Southern District of Iowa (2020)
Author:
- Post-STAAB Reflections on the State of Joint and Several Liability in Minnesota, November 2014, OLWK White Paper
- Deal or No Deal: The Reality of Insurance Settlements. 2008 MDLA Mid-Winter Seminar; co-author with Dale O. Thornsjo, Johnson & Condon, P.A. and Brian Sande, Bassford Remele, P.A.
- Accept No Substitute: The Home Buyers Warranty Option in Minnesota. March 2006, Builders Club News, co-authored with Shamus P. O'Meara
Public Seminar Presenter:
- No-Fault Abuses: How to Avoid Going to Jail!, Minnesota CLE Motor Vehicle Accident Deskbook Seminar June 2020
- Understanding What to Do with Cases Involving Uber, Lyft, or Other Rideshare Services, Uninsured, Underinsured No-Fault Insurance & Bodily Injury Update, Minnesota CLE February 2020
- Scooters, Uber, Lyft and Other New Issues in No-Fault Coverage, Minnesota CLE Motor Vehicle Accident Deskbook Seminar June 2019
- Electronic Data and Machine Telematics, Association of Equipment Manufacturers, Product Liability Seminar, May 2019
- The Asbestos Ship Has Not Sailed, MDLA Trial Techniques Seminar, August 2016
- The Impact of Texting and Other Distracted Driving Factors, Minnesota CLE Motor Vehicle Deskbook Seminar, May 2016
- MN No-Fault 101: What You Really Need to Know; South Dakota Claims Association, Annual Meeting, 2013
- Work-Related Personal Injury Issues, Hennepin County Bar Assoc. Course Co-Chair, June 2013
- UM/UIM Coverage Update, Halfmoon Education Seminars, 2013
- Premises Liability: Plaintiff and Defense Perspectives, Hennepin County Bar Assoc. Course Co-Chair, March 2012
- Personal Injury Settlement Pitfalls and Potholes, Hennepin County Judicial Training, Course Co-Chair Sept. 2011
- Ethical Considerations in Minnesota No-Fault Arbitrations, Hennepin County Bar Assoc., Course Chair, June 2011
- Multi-Party Litigation, Hennepin County Bar Association, March 2011, Speaker/Course Co-Chair
- Social Host Liability, Hennepin County Bar Association, March 2010 CLE Speaker/Co-chair Alcohol and the Law: 2010 Update
- Social Host Ordinances: Do they Impact Liability Claims?, Twin Cities Claims Association, February 2010
- Subrogation Interests: Medicare - "I have to do WHAT to settle a case?", Hennepin County Bar Association, May 2009
- Medicare Reporting and Set-Aside Penalties and Procedures, Minnesota Claims Managers Meeting, November 2008
- Timely topics in Residential Construction Litigation, Twin Cities Claims Association, May 2008
- Collateral Source Offsets – Minnesota UM/UIM Tips, Hennepin County Bar Association, March 2008
- Successfully Defending Radio Frequency Facet Neurotomy Cases, 2007 Twin Cities Claims Association Winter Seminar, co-presenter with Mark Condon
- Schroeder v. Western Nat. Mut. Ins. Co., 865 N.W.2d 66 (Minn. 2015) (amicus)
- Latterell v. Progressive Northern Ins. Co. , et al., A09-1138; 2010 WL 696747 (Minn. Ct. App 3/2/2010); 801 N.W.2d 917 (Minn. 2011)